The Economic Development Administration of the federal government announced Wednesday they're contributing $15 – million dollars toward a flood wall at Autoneum and Windsor Foods on Bloomsburg's west side. They employ an estimated 900 people... and were knocked out of commission during the September 2011 flood. The commitment from the fed's will be coupled with an estimated $12 – million from the state... and another $3 – million dollars from the two companies. The project is spearheaded by Congressman Lou Barletta... who represents Columbia County in Washington... with the cash coming from money set aside by congress for flood protection following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Fire Update

A day after a devastating fire destroyed two homes and damaged a third... at the corner of East 8th and Poplar Streets in Bloomsburg... a retired town worker took time to look over the scene... despite the cold weather. Don Strausser telling WHLM News he was fearful the entire block of homes on the east side of 8th Street would go up in flames... due to Tuesday's wind and low water pressure coming from the hydrants. Another problem faced by firemen... all of the structures are of wood – frame construction. No word as to what caused the blaze... but the flames destroyed the homes of Gwen Zubler... and that of next door neighbor Larry Poust... with heat damaging the vinyl siding of a Barnes family home across the street from the Zubler home.

Art Walk - In

Looking for a little something to do Thursday night. Why not take in the 4th annual Art Walk-In at the Moose Exchange in the 200 block of West Main Street in Bloomsburg. Moose Exchange manager Oren Helbok says up to 30 talented artisan's will be on hand... as well as plenty of food from downtown restaurants... and bands with different genres. The 4th Annual Art Walk-In begins at 4 O'clock Thursday afternoon at the Moose Exchange on West Main Street in Bloomsburg.

Bridge Replacement

You can tell spring is just around the corner when PennDOT starts road construction programs. First up... a bridge replacement project on Route 44... two miles west of Jerseytown in Madison Township.PennDOT's Rick Mason says the existing 35 – foot long bridge over the east branch of Chillisquaque Creek will be replaced. The 704 – thousand dollar project begins May 6th ... and runs through August. Detours will be in place.

Pa Insurance Dept

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department says it's not happy over an announcement last week by the Federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. That government entity plans to suspend enrollment in pre-existing condition insurance plans by March 2nd. Pennsylvania’s pre-existing condition insurance plan, called PA Fair Care, was established in 2010 to comply with the federal Affordable Care Act. The program supports more than 6,500 Pennsylvanians.

Wilkes – Barre Fire

Wilkes – Barre fire investigators say a blaze at an apartment building in the Heights section of the city is a case of arson. The flames were discovered at Park Avenue and Dana Streets Wednesday morning... taking firefighters a couple of hours to bring the fire under control. The couple who live there were able to escape the flames. Two of the three kids were at school. Investigators believe the fire started in a vacant first floor apartment.

Tobyhanna Depot

With impending automatic federal budget cuts threatened for March 1st.... the Tobyhanna Army Depot could face an estimated $300 – million in cuts. According to an Army report... if budget sequestration take effect... Tobyhanna would see $309 – million worth of cuts thorough the end of September.... all part of a $500 – billion to be sliced from defense department spending over the next ten year. Congress and the President still sparing with each other over the cuts.

Gaming

The Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City has filed for bankruptcy. The Shore's newest and most expensive gambling location filing the paperwork... as Pennsylvania casino's continue to thrive. Financial records show Garden State gaming revenue started to decline... when the Commonwealth gave it's okay to open the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs near Wilkes – Barre.

In WHLM Sports

Bloomsburg University

The Bloomsburg University men's and women's basketball teams played Mansfield Wednesday night. WHLM's Jim Doyle says the Mansfield men defeated Bloomsburg 73 – 66. On the women's side... Bloomsburg downed Mansfield 63 – 51. The Huskies play their final regular season home games Saturday afternoon against Kutztown.

BU Wrestling

The Bloomsburg University wrestling team faces Binghamton Thursday night at the Nelson Field House in the Huskies final dual meet of the season. Thursday night's match starts at 7 O'clock.